AJ Styles' 4 Best Potential WWE WrestleMania 33 Opponents

When he debuted in WWE back at the Royal Rumble in January, not even AJ Styles could have envisaged the success he'd have during his first year with the company.

In a matter of weeks, Styles quickly became one of the most popular and relevant stars on the roster. Since the brand split, he's SmackDown's biggest and most coveted asset.

On a wider scale, he remains potentially the best in-ring worker in WWE. And with WrestleMania being just around the corner, the choice of his opponent for the biggest show of the year is vital.

Will Styles still hold the WWE Championship? Will he face an up-and-coming talent? Or will WWE opt for an all-star match against one of the living legends?

We'll find out those answers and more in the coming weeks, but for now, here's a look at the best opponents for Styles at Mania.

John Cena

Yes, they're headed for a megafight at the Royal Rumble next month. And yes, AJ Styles vs. John Cena has happened so often that it could be repetitive.

But given the star power of both men and the way Styles has risen to the role of the most important star on SmackDown, a clash between them would have a whole new dynamic at WrestleMania.

Cena is going to win world title No. 16 at some point in 2017, but does WWE want to save that moment for the biggest show of the year for maximum impact? If so, doing it against Styles would generate the most impact, aside from beating The Undertaker for the belt.

Styles earned his stripes in WWE by beating Cena cleanly at SummerSlam earlier this year and subsequently winning the WWE Championship.

It could be a big risk having them go at it nonstop for the next three months, but it might just work.

Baron Corbin

Credit: WWE.com

There were plenty of positives from the final SmackDown of 2016 this past Tuesday. However, one of the most pleasing surprises was how Baron Corbin looked so comfortable in the main event alongside AJ Styles and Dolph Ziggler.

Corbin is being groomed for a more permanent stay in the main event scene of SmackDown in 2017. And while little is apparent about his plans for WrestleMania, could a feud with Styles realistically work?

One thing is for certain: A prolonged feud with the company's biggest asset would elevate Corbin. But the major problem would be turning Styles babyface between now and Mania.

Styles works so well as a heel, but a slow burn to becoming a babyface again wouldn't be the most difficult task in the world, given how popular he remains with WWE fans.

It's a long shot, but it would be a decent enough feud.

The Undertaker

Ever since The Undertaker returned to SmackDown last month and delivered his chilling warning that WrestleMania would not define him anymore, WWE fans have not seen a trace of The Phenom.

Is that because WWE is hashing out his WrestleMania plans behind the scenes? And if so, could they involve AJ Styles?

It seems like Taker is on a collision course with John Cena at WrestleMania, possibly with the WWE Championship on the line.

But the far more appealing option is for SmackDown's biggest match at WrestleMania being The Phenom vs. The Phenomenal One with the belt at stake.

It's the kind of match WWE fans thought they'd never see, and with Styles being in such scintillating form, there's little doubt he could help the veteran pull off one more stellar match at Mania.

It would probably result in a Taker victory, but given the reputation he has, Styles' momentum wouldn't take too much of a hit from such an outcome. 

Samoa Joe

Credit: WWE.com

If WrestleMania is the backdrop for creating dream matchups, then Samoa Joe is the best fit for AJ Styles by a considerable distance.

It brings together two men who were considered two of the best wrestlers in the world before they signed with WWE. Since they have joined the company, that status hasn't changed—in fact, they've gotten even better.

So the prospect of two of TNA's biggest names in history colliding just weeks after Joe's likely call-up to the main roster is salivating, to say the least.

The beauty of this option is that with the star power and popularity of both men, the match doesn't need to have a title on the line to be appealing.

It would be one of those bouts that could fit into the middle of the WrestleMania card and end up stealing the show.

The only problem is—who would be the heel?